Patent GB-191217928-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Apparatus for Stamping and Issuing Tickets.
Inventor: TANNER ARNOLD JAMES
Filed: 1912-08-02
Granted: 1913-07-31
Abstract: 17,928. Tanner, A. J. Aug. 2. Printing-apparatus for registering and checking fares; counting-apparatus.-An apparatus for printing and issuing tickets comprises a movable carriage containing devices for printing tickets of different values, the carriage being moved when a new section of tramway route &c. is reached, so that a ticket which previously was printed with, say, a threepenny mark is now printed with a twopenny mark. The printing stamp of highest value is put out of printing position when the carriage is moved once, and the stamps of lower value are put out successively. The carriage can move in one direction only, and is reversed end for end on. the return journey. The printing-stamps can be rotated to print distinguishing marks on a ticket to indicate the particular section of the fare stage at which the ticket has been issued. As shown, a number of printing-stamps 4 are mounted in a carriage 2, which can be moved over a stationary base 1 formed with guides 10 for the carriage and with racks 12 having ratchet teeth engaged by spring detents 21, which prevent the carriage from being moved in a backward direction. Two racks are provided, the second rack acting in a similar manner when the carriage is turned end for end on the return journey. The detent 21 actuates a ratchet 45 of a registering-device when the carriage is moved out of engagement with the guides 10, and this together with the action of the racks 12 prevents fraud. At the commencement of the journey all the printing- stamps 4 are arranged above ticket strips 5 mounted in the fixed casing, and tickets of all values can be printed and issued. Each ticket is printed and issued by moving a slide 6 formed with an aperture through which the ticket projects as the slide is moved against the action of a spring 7. A cam surface 28 on the slide 6 depresses the corresponding stamp 4 by acting on a projection 29 on the plunger 4<1> of the stamp. The printing-head 18 of the plunger may be rotated for changing the position of the printed mark 71, Fig. 1, by rotating a wheel 20 fitted with a suitable indicating-device, the wheel 20 operating a shaft 19 geared by worm gearing to the heads 18. As shown in Fig. 1, the ticket printed is a threepenny one and the section at which the ticket was issued is indicated by the position of the mark 71 opposite to a mark 1 previously printed on the strips. Names of stations &c. may replace the marks 1, 2, 3, 4 shown in Fig. 1. Each operation of a stamp 4 actuates by means of a finger 32 a ratchet 35 of a counting-device arranged in a locked casing. In place of this, an adding-device of known kind may register the total value of the tickets printed. The inward movement of the slide 6 actuates a ratchet 50 engaged by fingers 51 on the slide, and this ratchet moves by suitable gearing the winding-drum of an ink-ribbon 48, which moves across all the stamps 4. After the ticket is printed, it is pulled out by hand to an extent which is regulated by a spring detent 31 on the slide 6. This detent engages holes at the required distance apart in the strip, and is released from the holes on the inward motion of the slide 6, the detent engaging the next hole after the slide returns. The printed ticket is cut off along a knife-edge 8. The carriage 2 is held in correct position above the strips by the engagement of a spring catch with holes 14 near the racks 12. On operation of a ring 15 to move the carriage forwards, this catch is released. In a modification, Fig. 7, the racks 12 are dispensed with, and the printing-device is not adjustable about its axis. The carriage 2 is formed with holes 14, which are engaged by spring catches 13. Spring-controlled detents 31 control the length of ticket, and the counting-devices are arranged to be operated by a link 32 when the plungers are actuated by the cam surface 28. Spring clips 24 engage the sides of the rolls 5. In a further modification, Fig. 11, the ticket reels are carried at the top of the apparatus, and the length of ticket is controlled by a spring device 31 fitted with a ball 31<1> engaging round perforations in the strip. The ticket passes through an orifice .8 in the slide 6. The slide 6 actuates a lever 62, which depresses the plunger 4<1> of one printing- stamp and also actuates a counter 36 through a link 70 and a collar 68. The printing-head 18 in this case can be set by a wheel 20 as in Figs. 1 and 2, the plunger being splined to the gear so as to permit vertical movement of the plunger relatively to the gear. The ink-ribbon is operated by a gravity pawl 58, and a plate 61 is used to protect the ribbon from dust and dampness.